Captain Planet has teamed up with Colombian singer Jimena Angel to produce a classic Afro-Latin funk sound in his latest musical release. The song “Pambelé” was born out of a tour in South America, where Captain Planet was performing in Santa Marta and Cartagena. Being a fan of Jimena’s previous work, he reached out to her online and arranged several days of collaboration.
“I was staying in a tiny thatched roof hut in the jungle by the side of the Guachaca river, making beats on my laptop with headphones in preparation before meeting up. This beat was one of the first ones I played to Jimena, and immediately she got the vibe, and we started to jam. The song had a triumphant and empowering feel, and then somehow we locked into chanting the name “Pambelé”, who is an iconic Afro-Latin boxer, born in Palenque, who holds a stature similar to Muhammad Ali for many Colombians.”
The Spanish lyrics are uplifting and speak of never looking back while always moving forward and fighting adversity. Jimena’s powerful vocals soar over a super heavy bass line, accompanied by wah-wah guitars and a Hammond organ riff, with syncopated punches of horns, congas, and cowbells.
While the sound has a timeless feel reminiscent of artists like Ray Barretto or WAR, there is also a contemporary edge and updated vibe for today’s discerning listeners. The new single is being released ahead of the forthcoming album.
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Author: World Music Central News Room
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